Book: Cake Pops

I finally got it!!!  The Cake Pops book that I have waited for from the Library was finally available.  I was reading through it last night and was SO excited.  Not sure how artistic I will get but I am going to try a few things and see what happens.  If you haven't seen it, check it out!

Here is the link to Amazon! - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cake+pops&x=0&y=0

Books: Homespun Gifts and Homespun Memories

I was looking for something fun for gifts especially personal gifts to give.  I always go very generic but I am really wanting my gifts to be more personal and heart-felt.  I follow Karen Ehman's blog and actually took a class of hers at a conference.  The other day on got on the library's website to see if she has wrote any books.  I came across two that interest me.

Homespun Gifts from the Heart- this gives great ideas on gifts to give and recipes.  So far I love it!

Homespun Memories for the Heart- This book is how to celebrate special days and make memories that will last.

Check them out!

Cleaning: Green Solutions

I don't like cleaning with chemicals specifically because I don't want the kids to get into them.  Cleaning products is the last thing I want to have to worry about protecting from them so I clean mostly with Vinegar!  Doesn't smell the best but if the kids get into it, it won't hurt them please they won't like the taste either.  I picked up this book at the library the other and typed out the cleaning solutions that I am going to try.  It was a great book with LOTS of information.

From Book: Clean Home, Green Home (KNACK-Make it Easy- Kimberly Delaney)

Dishwashing Soap

• ¼ cup castile soap
• ½ cup water
• 5-10 drops lavender or rosemary essential oil
• Combine in a reusable glass bottle with pour spout for easy use

All-purpose Solution

• 1 cup vinegar
• 2 teaspoons borax
• ½ teaspoon castile soap
• 2 cups hot water
• Combine in large spray bottle and shake until borax dissolves.  Store and use indefinitely.

Antibacterial Spray

• 10-12 drops lavender oil or tea tree oil
• 1 cup water
• Store and use indefinitely in small spray bottles

Damp Dusting Spray

• ½ cup white distilled vinegar
• A few drops olive oil or jojoba oil
• 3-5 drops essential oil or choice (optional)

Polish Recipe

• ½ cup white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Combine ingredients and shake well

To get rid of water or heat rings on your table

• Wipe the area with a damp sponge
• Mix mayo and fireplace ask to a paste.  The ash grit buffs the finish and the mayo lubricates the wood
• Dip soft cotton or flannel cloth in the mixture and rub onto area
• Wipe the paste off with cloth.  Polish the table to even out the look

Glass and Mirror Cleaner- Beginner

• 1 cup white distille vinegar
• ½ teaspoon castile soap
• 2 cups water
• Combine and store in spray bottle.  Keep the ratio of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water and you can fill any size bottle.

Glass and Mirror Cleaner- Advanced

• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 2 cups water
• Combine and store in spray bottle

Easy Laundry Soap

• ⅛ cup castile soap
• ½ cup washing soda (to cut grease)
• ½ cup borax (to remove stains)
• Optional: Add ¼ cup vinegar to rinse cycle to soften fabrics and water
• Combine.  If your clothes don’t feel clean enough, increase the castile soap until you’re satisfied with the results.

DIY Fabric Softner

• Add ¼ cup vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften clothes and eliminate static

Leather Cleaner

• ½ cup jojoba oil
• ⅛ cup distilled white vinegar
• Rub into leather with a soft cloth for cleaning and conditioning.  Do no use on suede.

Sealed wood floor damp-mop solution

• ⅛ cup castile soap
• ½ cup vinegar
• 2 gallons warm water
• Optional addition: If you’re cleaning up a spill that may have bacteria in it, add 10-20 drops of lavender, rosemary, tea tree or eucalyptus oil to mixture

Reading: Books I Have Been Reading

I wanted to share with you some books I have been reading.  I am a sporadic readers so I have many books going at one time.  Some I just browse through.

Children:
Pottywise- I need to start potty training Keelin.  So I am refreshing myself since it has been 2 years since Bryson was potty trained.
Preschoolwise- Now that I am home with Keelin all day I am learning that she can be a big stinker so I have to structure her day and make sure she is on a good schedule and I am disciplining her correctly.
Childwise- With Bryson he is going through the stage where everything is done his way so I am reading to learn how to train him to make some decisions for himself but also let him know that we are in charge.
Parenting with Love and Logic- Using this as a reference.  Great book!

Money:
 Be CentsAble- Easy read and great tips

Cleaning:
Clean Home Green Home- This has great ways to clean and with all natural products.  Once I get organized I am going to post the recipes for different cleaning solutions.  I think it will save money plus be better for our household.  With children in the house it makes me very nervous to have chemicals around that could harm them especially when there is natural solutions that clean just as well out there.

**A lot of these books I do get at the library.  I have fallen in love with the library - what a great free resource we have.  Our library is within a network so if they don't have it at the local library but it is within the network chain you can get it.  You place it on hold and it is delivered to your local library for you!